Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

50 Hz magnetic fields of varying flux intensity affect cell shape changes in invertebrate immunocytes: The role of potassium ion channels med./bio.

By: Ottaviani E, Malagoli D, Ferrari A, Tagliazucchi D, Conte A, Gobba F
Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2002; 23 (4): 292-297
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of mussels to a 50 Hz magnetic field on the activation of immunocytes should be investigated.

Background/further details

Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels were divided into different groups (25 mussels per field and exposure duration, see below).
After exposure, hemolymph including immunocytes was extracted and the chemotactic substance N-formyl-Meth-Leu-Phe (fMLP) (10-8 M) was added to induce an activation of the immune cells, which is represented by a cell shape change. For each group, a separate sham exposed control group with 25 mussels was used. After exposure, 4 immunocytes from each mussel from each group were investigated every 5 minutes (0 -20 minutes after exposure) and the data from 2 immunocytes per mussel were used for analysis (n=50 cells per measuring point).
Additionally, PCO 400 (10-4 M, 10-5 M and 10-6 M), an opener of ATP-sensitive potassium ion channels, was added to the hemolymph of animals from groups with exposure to >500 µT to investigate the mechanism of action.
All experiments were performed in triplicate.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 30 minutes
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 15 min or 30 min
Exposure 3: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 15 min or 30 min
Exposure 4: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 15 min or 30 min
Exposure 5: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 15 min or 30 min
Exposure 6: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 15 min or 30 min
Exposure 7: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 15 min or 30 min

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 30 minutes
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup animals were placed under a pair of Helmholtz coils; during each experiment, the temperature was repeatedly checked
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 200 µT - - - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 15 min or 30 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 300 µT - - - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 15 min or 30 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 400 µT - - - -

Exposure 4

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 15 min or 30 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 500 µT - - - -

Exposure 5

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 15 min or 30 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 600 µT - - - -

Exposure 6

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 15 min or 30 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 700 µT - - - -

Exposure 7

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 15 min or 30 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 1,000 µT - - - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Exposure to the magnetic field provoked delays in the fMLP-induced activation of immunocytes depending on the strength of the magnetic field. No significant delay was found in groups up to 300 µT. In groups with 400 µT exposure, a significant difference in cell shape, i.e. activation, compared to the control group was first found 15 minutes after exposure, and in groups with 500 µT exposure it was only found after 20 minutes. No significant shape changes compared to the control groups, i.e. no activation, were found in groups with >500 µT exposure.
Addition of 10-5 M of PCO 400 reversed the effect of exposure to a magnetic field of 500 µT, indicating an involvement of potassium ion channels.
The authors conclude that exposure of mussels to a 50 Hz magnetic field might impair the activation of immunocytes under participation of the potassium ion channels.

Study character:

Study funded by

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